Known as being the birthplace of Pope John Paul II, Wadowice is located at 50km from Kraków, on the Skawa river, confluence of Vistula, in the eastern part of Silesian Foothills. According to a legend, the town was founded by certain Wad or Wład, a short form for Ladislaus, and the first permanent settlement in the area was founded in late 10th century or early 11th century. In 1430 a great fire destroyed the town, but was soon rebuilt and granted city rights. Incorporated into the Kraków Voivodeship in 1564, it became a regional centre of crafts and trade in the 16th-17th centuries. After the 1st Partition of Poland, it was annexed by Austria, and after the WWI , it became part of the newly-reborn Poland.
Situated very close to the birthplace of Pope John Paul II, the basilica in the postcard, the minor basilica of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built in a late baroque style in the 18th century, is the most important church in Wadowice. It's nice but nothing spectacular architecturally. Here the pope, then a child, listened to his first mass and inside we can see references to him. In the left nave from the presbytery there is a chapel, in which is placed the miraculous image of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, blessed by Pope John Paul II on 16 June 1999. From the temple chapel is separated by the black bars on which is placed the papal coat of arms and the words Totus Tuus and numerous votive gratefullness made by the faithful as a token of gratitude for graces received.
About the stamp
The stamps is part of the definitive series about which I wrote here.
References
Wadowice - Wikipedia
Basilica of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Wadowice - Poland Travel
sender: Monika / Monia402 (postcrossing)
sent from ?? (?? / United Kingdom), on 20.05.2014
photo: Pawel Strykowski
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